CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulties, they could be recommended for an ADHD assessment to CAMHS. They will usually be asked to bring with them their parent(s)/guardian(s) and a teacher who knows them well.
Parents/caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 highlighted the positives of remote appointments, but also suggested that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If your child or young person you know has ADHD They may be unable to sit still or forgetting things, experience difficulties falling asleep and are easily distracted by other stimuli. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with the demands of tasks or activities at home or at school, have trouble understanding information, and find it hard to follow instructions. They may lose their belongings, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and may miss appointments. They may injure themselves or others if they are not vigilant. They could have a difficult relationship, have trouble finding jobs or work, and may find it difficult to get on with their family members.
Some children and adolescents with ADHD are highly impulsive. They may fidget, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They may not listen to other people and be more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are dangerous. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and can easily become irritable or even angry. They may also be overly sensitive or feel that others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from individual to individual and can change with age. They can affect people of any race, gender or background. ADHD is a condition that is treated by medication. It is important to realize that medication is not able to remove all symptoms of the disorder and can have side effects.
The first step to getting assistance for ADHD is to get a camhs adhd evaluation. The most common way to do this is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They might recommend you to a mental health professional for a specialist ADHD assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. As a result, the average time between referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in the range of the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated by medication, behavioural therapy or education. It can be a challenge for children and parents to understand the condition however there is a lot of help available. If you believe that you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD consult an GP. They may refer you to a specialist CAMHS team who will assess your child and diagnose them.
If your child is referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service they are usually seen by one or two members of the team. They will also seek out the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who knows their child well to provide feedback. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher who knows the child very well.
The CAMHS team could then decide that your child requires additional tests and will send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ a variety of tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in different situations. They will assess the way your child behaves at home, in school as well as in public areas.
During the assessment the clinician will speak to you and your child about what they have discovered. The clinician will issue an assessment and discuss possible treatment options with you. People suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medication, however it's not enough to eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the 'ADHD Assessment pathway' falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, some children and young people undergo their ADHD evaluation through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because they have a higher level of cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. This pathway is described in more detail on the 'ID of CAMHS" page on this website.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialized assistance for children and adolescents with ADHD through an in-person service within your area. This could include a psychiatrist or psychologist or even nurses. They'll ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers, or other carers. They could decide to treat you with medication or suggest different treatments instead. The NHS website has information on treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 highlighted the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with the best services, waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. Although national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasise the importance of early detection of children and young adults with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been produced but there is no specific guidelines on how long the child or young person should wait to see a doctor.
This project was designed to speed up the time for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved using a simple tool for data collection and integration into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made and the time the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been decreased. The QI team would like to thank the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work throughout the project.
If a medication has been prescribed, the doctors discuss the available options with you and your family members. There are many drugs that treat ADHD. However they all have distinct side-effects. It is crucial to be aware of the potential side effects before you begin any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. assess adhd include psychotherapies, parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that help with organizing and planning could be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and they took place over the phone. Participants were contacted through a targeted sample method. This was chosen because it is thought to be more ethical than a randomised controlled trial that is typically employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for both parents and children since the signs are often misinterpreted or viewed as undesirable behavior. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can provide support. It is crucial that families are aware of what is expected during the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on the subject which is available by clicking the hyperlinks below.
CAMHS provides a range of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. However, it is vital to ensure that the appropriate treatment is chosen for your child, as different people respond differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment can include discussions with a nurse or doctor and may involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently implemented a project to improve the quality of service and reduce waiting time. The team consulted service users during the assessment process and identified the key issues that led to improvements to the process. Service users, for example were of the opinion that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough post-assessment assistance. In addition, they would like to get more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
In the wake of the QI project, wait time from referral to ADHD evaluation have been reduced significantly. This is in line with trust-level targets, and reflects the importance of improving effectiveness and capacity across the CAMHS System. The team used the change model and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional assistance for your child, such as medication and training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide support and advice to children who suffer from ADHD.